‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas’
Through Dec. 29
Olney Theatre Centre
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD
$51-$86
Olneytheatre.org

In an unmistakably husky voice, Elizabeth Ashley once told me, “When asked to help a friend, you don’t dick around.” The ever-candid actor was referring to when she replaced an unwell Dixie Carter in the 2010 Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.”  

Similarly, when celebrated local actor Michael Russotto was more recently asked to cover for colleague and friend Paul Morella in Olney Theatre Center’s unique version of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas,” he didn’t hesitate. 

When first asked to stand in for Morella (who experienced a health event earlier this fall that has prevented him from performing over the holiday season), Russotto knew this wasn’t just any part. Faithfully conceived by Morella, this “A Christmas Carol” is a one-man show and a beloved Olney tradition, requiring the actor to portray more than 50 characters, ranging from miserly Scrooge to Tiny Tim. 

“Of course, my immediate instinct was to help out, but then the panic set in. Suddenly I was faced with a daunting new role as well as a condensed rehearsal period,” says Russotto, 64. “There’s no magic to learning a dense piece of material. However, I would suggest the first thing is to break it up into chunks. And it’s important to remain calm, otherwise you’ll run out of the room screaming.” 

Though he’s tackled some wordy two handers over the years, Olney’s “Carol” is Russotto’s first solo show. From the start, he recognized the size of the job, knowing from experience that there’s no substitution for the grind of sitting with the formidable script for hours and hours and do the memorizing and more memorizing.

Fortunately for him, it hasn’t been unpleasant. For starters, Russotto likes the story. “It’s a journey of redemption. And with its themes of greed and what goes with that, it’s a marvelous parable for the moment, especially for those of us who live in a capitalist society.” 

Also, as a big fan of 19th century literature, Russotto was already fond of Dickens and his Christmas tale. Published in December of 1843, it fits right in with what the actor likes: “I like the parentheticals, its ins and outs, and the curlicues.” 

Along with decades of terrific work on the D.C. stage, Russotto has narrated hundreds of audio books for Books on Tape and The Library of Congress. He says, “I’m often called on to narrate works from this era whether they be murder mysteries, or whatever. They’ll hand it to me, and that’s just fine.” 

How might a show built by Morella who’s straight be different when played by out actor Russotto?

“I’d say that being gay gives me a special perspective in that it affords me an unusual empathy with some of the characters and perhaps leads me to portray some of them in more of a rainbow light than they might otherwise be portrayed.” 

And Russotto, who lives with his longtime partner in Adams Morgan, readily confesses to having a crush on the Ghost of Christmas Present who’s often portrayed as a bearded, bare-chested Dionysian sexpot. 

However, reading aloud into a microphone is one thing, but to memorize and perform alone on stage at Olney’s Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab is something else. 

Playing Scrooge and company wasn’t something he had previously imagined doing. Still, he’s found joy in voicing the novella’s many characters: “I especially love the three ghosts; the gentlemen who come and try to solicit for the poor and the ruffians who show up at the end of the play.”

In taking on Dickens solo, Russotto now finds himself in the company of some illustrious queers including Eddie Izzard who did “Dickens’ Great Expectations” in New York, and BAFTA award winning actor and fearless activist Miriam Margolyes who has successfully toured with her one woman hit show “Dickens’ Women.” 

Actors are advised to challenge themselves now and them. It’s considered important to do something that you’re a little terrified of doing, push yourself a little bit. Well, this job is checking all of those boxes, he says. 

And after the show’s run ends? How does an actor unwind from this? 

Without hesitation, Russotto replies, “I’ll be having a big martini. And maybe we’ll make more of New Year’s in a way that we don’t usually do. That’s what I’m thinking.”

The DC Holiday Market will be extended one more week until Monday, Dec. 23 at Dupont Circle. The market will be open Monday to Friday from 12-8 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 

Whether you’re looking for unique gifts, local artisan creations, or delicious holiday treats, the DC Holiday Market is the perfect place to support small businesses and find festive treasures in the heart of Washington D.C.

The market features more than 30 small businesses offering a wide variety of handcrafted goods, boutique brands, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Enjoy the charming atmosphere with festive décor and popular holiday treats like Migue’s Mini Donuts and hot roasted nuts from the Capital Candy Jar. 

Awards season arrived earlier this week with the announcement of the 2025 Golden Globes, which takes place on Jan. 5, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount +. Several LGBTQ actors are over the moon to be nominated. 

Trans queer actress Karla Sofía Gascón was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for the musical “Emilia Pérez,” making her the first out trans woman to be nominated for Lead Actress in a film category. 

The riveting film, which tells the tale of a cartel leader who transitions to a trans woman, has received numerous Globes noms, for Best Motion Picture (musical or comedy), acting (for Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña), Jacques Audiard for Best Director (Motion Picture), Best Screenplay (Motion Picture), Best Original Score, and two nominations for Best Original Song.

“This has been an overwhelming morning,” acknowledged Gascón in a Netflix statement. “Tears filled my eyes when I heard the news. I want to thank all the members of the Golden Globes for this nomination. It’s incredible to be recognized alongside my costars. I’m so grateful to Jacques for the gift of Emilia. We couldn’t have created the world of ‘EMILIA PÉREZ’ without the amazing artistic technical team on the film. Thank you to Netflix and to all of you who support me and live with my successes as if they were yours. This nomination gives me hope for humanity.”

Bisexual actor Richard Gadd has been nominated for best television male actor in a limited series, anthology series or television motion picture for his hit Netflix series, “Baby Reindeer.”  

In a prepared Netflix statement he said: “I am beyond thrilled that ‘Baby Reindeer’ has been nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Almost every year, I have watched the event, hoping that one day I might be there in the audience, sitting amongst the industry’s finest, getting roasted on an international scale. So it is a dream come true. Thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press for all they have done in championing the show.”

Gadd offered his “sincere gratitude” to Netflix for “taking a chance” on greenlighting the series, as well as Clerkenwell Films for their “enormous efforts” in producing it.

“And all the amazing cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring the best version of the series to screen, a special shout out to my incredible team who I have the joy and privilege of working with every single day too. Whatever happens on the 5th of January, I cannot think of a better way to start the year. Javier Bardem, I’m coming for a photograph!”

Gadd is up against gay stars Cooper Koch for “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and Andrew Scott for “Ripley.” 

Noted Scott: “It was a true honor to bring Patricia Highsmith’s iconic literary character to life in this new way, to spar with the glorious Dakota Fanning and to work with a cast and crew of truly extraordinary talent. Thank you to the Golden Globes; I never dreamed murdering people on the Amalfi coast for a year would be recognized in this way. Grazie Mille.”

Also in the category are Colin Farrell (“The Penguin,”) Kevin Kline (“Disclaimer”), and Ewan McGregor (“A Gentleman in Moscow.”)

Gay castmate Jessica Gunning is also nominated for best supporting female actor-television.

“Wowza. Words can’t really do justice to how thrilled I am to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress alongside some of my idols as well no less! I think I might need someone to pinch me to check I’m not dreaming. Thank you so much to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this incredible honour, to the amazing cast and crew of Baby Reindeer, to Netflix and Clerkenwell Films, to my friends and family for all their support along the way. And a huge thanks of course to Richard, without whom none of this would even be possible. This genuinely is such an incredible honour and I can’t wait to be in LA in January… what a way to kick off 2025! Thank you.”

“Wicked’s” Cynthia Erivo was equally elated: “Now that my feet are hovering off the ground, I cannot even come close to properly expressing what this moment means to me. Not just because of this individual nomination but because I get to watch as this project and my ‘WICKED’ family is celebrated too. Being a part of this project has been a dream come true, and playing Elphaba, a woman who speaks to everyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong and lets them know they have the power to defy gravity, has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Erivo’s best performance by a female actor in a musical or comedy nomination is the fourth for her — she earned her first nominations for best drama actress and best original song for the 2020 film “Harriet.” The British actress and singer also received a nom in 2022, for best actress in a limited series nomination, portraying Aretha Franklin in Nat Geo’s “Genius.”

She also sent heartfelt wishes to director Jon Chu and producer Marc Platt. “Thank you for entrusting me with her. Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the entire Universal team, thank you for all of your love, care, collaboration and hard work. Jon, you and your wonderful dedication to this work, your love of cinema and storytelling and care for each one of us on your set is why we’re all experiencing this now, thank you.”

“Wicked” has several nominations, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Ariana Grande-Butera for Best Supporting Female Actor.

Addressing Grande-Butera, Erivo said: “My little sister, baby girl I love you. I’m so proud of you. You’re so deserving of this moment and I’m glad I get to share the seconds and the moments and the days and the years with you. This journey has been so unbelievably special, and I believe it is the company we have kept together that has made it as special as it has been and will continue to be. May there be many many more journeys to take both on and off screen, it is an honor to be able to hold your hand.”

Angelina Jolie is also nominated for best female actor-drama for “Maria,” the Maria Callas biopic. 

“Thank you to the Golden Globes for this honor,” she said in a Netflix statement. “I am humbled to be nominated alongside so many artists I deeply admire. I share this with my director, Pablo Larrain and all who were a part of making MARIA such a rewarding experience. It’s a privilege to have played Maria Callas and to be able to share her legacy with the world.”

Nonbinary star Emma D’Arcy also received a Globe nomination for Best TV Drama Actress for her work in HBO’s “House of the Dragon.”

“I feel completely delighted. This season felt very personal to me, and at times it was hard to make, so I’m really moved by this recognition. Making a show like this is the most extraordinary team effort — I’ll be honoured to represent my colleagues at the Globes in January.”

D’Arcy’s co-nominees are Kathy Bates (“Matlock”), Maya Erskine (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”), Keira Knightley (“Black Doves”), Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”), and Anna Sawai (“Shōgun”).

Hannah Einbinder has now been nominated at the Golden Globes for all three seasons of “Hacks.”

“Getting to make ‘Hacks’ with the hardest working, most talented and lovely crew, saying words written by Paul Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello, looking into the eyes of Jean Smart and every actor on this show is a once in a lifetime, lightning in a bottle experience. I cherish this show so deeply and to be recognized for my work on it is a sincere honor.”

Luca Guadagnino is nominated for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Challengers” as well as for Best Song. 

“I am so proud today to the Globes for the recognition and love for Daniel and Zendaya in both drama and comedy. I am in awe of their talent. To then share best picture and song nods with more people I love — Amy and Rachel, Trent and Atticus, it is a beautiful and wonderful thing and I am grateful.”  

Other LGBTQ highlights:

“Nickel Boys” and “Moana 2” were nominated for Best Motion Picture and feature queer actors Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Auli’i Cravalho.

“The Wild Robot,” which features queer actor Stephanie Hsu, is nominated for Best Motion Picture (Animated), Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Best Original Score and Best Original Song.  Grammy-winning country-pop star Maren Morris, who identifies as bisexual, co-wrote and performed “Kiss the Sky.” 

Singer Miley Cyrus is nominated for Best Original Song for “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl.”

Both Jodie Foster and Kali Reis are nominated for “True Detective: Night Country.” 

Colman Domingo is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, for “Sing Sing.”